woman smiling and answering questions during a workshop

Process Improvement Training

The following courses are designed to empower a culture of continuous improvement.

  • Lean Six Sigma White Belt (introductory)
  • The White Belt course introduces fundamental Lean and Six Sigma concepts and terminology. Participants will learn to identify process issues and eliminate waste, enhancing both personal and team productivity. This course is available to all UC Davis students, faculty, and staff. It includes a workbook and covers Change Management methodology, providing a fun and interactive experience that can be completed at your own pace. 

    The White Belt course also prepares you for the Yellow Belt, a day-long, in-person course where you’ll apply Lean Six Sigma tools and techniques in an engaging simulation.

    Choose from two formats: a 45-minute self-paced eLearning course or a virtual instructor-led session, both accessible through UC Learning.

    Register for eLearning Course

    Register for Instructor-Led Zoom Course
  • Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Training (foundational)

  • Upon completion of this course, participants will be Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt practitioners

    Topics Covered:

    • Understand the language and verbiage of process improvement and Lean Six Sigma.
    • Obtain a working knowledge of the tools of process improvement/Lean Six Sigma and how to apply them specifically in a higher education setting.
    • Gain the ability to identify “non-value added” activity.
    • Learn how to measure and analyze data from core processes in order to identify areas of improvement.
    • Recognize the value of integrating the “voice of the customer” into process improvement projects.

    Process Improvement Tools

    • DMAIC model
    • Value Stream Mapping
    • Lean 5s
    • Data Analysis and Sigma

    Training Logistics - Open Enrollment

    8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
    Located on the Davis campus
    Register

  • Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Training (advanced)
  • Learn more about registering for Lean Six Sigma Green Belt offered by UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education

    A Lean Six Sigma Green Belt will be able to:
    > Serve as practitioners of Lean methodology.
    > Select the right projects.
    > Define the problem that needs to be solved.
    > Measure the current problem and baseline the process.
    > Analyze the process and identify the cause of the problem.
    > Improve the process by implementing and verifying the best solution.
    > Control the new process by maintaining the solution.

    Topics covered:
    > Define a Six Sigma Project: Learn how to select the right project and define the problem that needs to be solved; build the business case and develop the project charter.
    > Understand the Customer: Engage in activities to define the customer's value chain; identify Critical to Quality (CTQ) process activities and define key performance indicators.
    > Quality Tools: Utilize quality tools such as check sheets, Pareto charts, scatter plots, and histograms to perform data analysis and assess measurement system capabilities.
    > Sustain the Change: Integrate project control plans and organizational change management to support the adoption of solutions. 

    Process Improvement Tools
    > DMAIC Model
    > Design of Experiments
    > Lean Metrics
    > Process Statistical Analysis
    > Organizational Change Management
     
  • Introduction to Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
  • This course is designed to train individuals how to effectively use the root cause analysis problem-solving method to eliminate chronic problems forever by utilizing some of the Lean Six Sigma tools and techniques.

    Choose from two formats: a 45-minute self-paced eLearning course or a virtual instructor-led session, both accessible through UC Learning.

    Register for eLearning Course

    Register for Instructor-Led Zoom Course
  • DMAIC For Practitioners: a self-paced course delivered via LMS
  • The self-guided DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) for Practitioners course is designed to train Lean Six Sigma practitioners how to more effectively manage the DMAIC process through practice with a standardized DMAIC Excel workbook tool. DMAIC practitioners will travel the DMAIC Roadmap, learn from real-world examples, and gain a further understanding of how Change Management principles are aligned with the DMAIC process. If you've got an interest in hands-on process improvement, this course is for you!

    Register
  • Value Stream Mapping for Improved Process Flow
  • In this Instructor-led virtual course, you will learn how to effectively map a high-level process, calculate the Cycle Time and Process Efficiency, and learn to identify inefficiencies within the process with the goal of reducing or eliminating them.

    Register 
  • 5S Your Outlook Inbox!
  • Outlook Email can easily get out of control and overwhelm even the most well-intentioned users. In this Instructor-led virtual course, you will learn how to organize your Outlook email by employing the Lean 5S Model: Sort, Set, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain. Set up read rules, sequencing, alerts, and automation. Re-apply the method to any physical or digital workspace!

    Register


Change Management Training

In an effort to grow change management competency across the organization, UC Davis offers the following courses. Contact Organizational Excellence to learn more about custom Change Management training opportunities. 

  • Change Management Fundamentals

  • An interactive session that explores the fundamental principles and practices of change management. Based upon proven, research-based approaches from Prosci®, the global leader in change management practice and research, participants will learn practical tips and tools for managing “the people side of change.”

    Duration: 4 hours

    What’s in it for you?

    > Define change management
    > Identify how to communicate the value of change management to your peers and leaders
    > Apply key change management tenets to a change effort
    > Learn the key questions to ask in order to successfully address the “people side” of change

    Before you Sign up

    1. Be prepared to attend the full session as scheduled
    2. Consider how you will bring lessons learned back to your team or department

    Register

  • Change Management for Managers and Supervisors

  • Managers play a critical role during times of change: research shows that employees look to managers and supervisors first to understand how changes will personally impact them. However, managers often underestimate their role in change or are unsure how to fulfill it. This highly interactive program builds change competency in people managers by providing a proven framework and practical tools for being an effective change leader. Managers and supervisors will learn how to improve change readiness by proactively addressing common individual and organizational barriers and applying proven building blocks from Prosci® during a change effort.

    Duration: 4 hours 

    What's in it for you?

    > Increase change readiness by applying research-based change management methods and tools
    > Define the manager/supervisor roles in change success
    > Identify how to address common change barriers among individuals or teams
    > Enhance your effectiveness as a change leader
    > Enhance your ability to manage change resistance

    Before you Sign Up

    1. Be prepared to attend the full session as scheduled


    Register | UC Davis Campus / Register | UC Davis Health Campus

  • Prosci Risk Assessment Tool: a self-paced course delivered via LMS

  • This course provides an overview of the Prosci Risk Assessment, a key tool in the Change Management toolkit, and helps the learners to identify issues that might impact change success and determine the level of change management resources needed to effectively support the change.

    Register


Facilitation

OBT aims to empower and actively support UC Davis staff and faculty to work toward optimizing all areas of their business through facilitated workshops.

  • Custom Workshop or Training
  • Each organization comes with its own unique history, culture, challenges, and needs. Whether you are looking to introduce concepts, conduct a rapid process improvement event or enhance existing competencies, OBT can help you design and facilitate a custom workshop to fit your needs.
    Contact Erica Aichwalder to explore partnership opportunities.


Webinars and Virtual Communities 

Participate in webinars and virtual communities of practice to stay engaged and learn more about best practices in continuous improvement.

  • UC Davis Lean Community of Practice
  • The Lean Community of Practice aims to deepen understanding of Lean principles and practices while fostering a culture of continuous improvement at UC Davis. We strive to build a diverse network of practitioners dedicated to creating an agile, sustainable, and supportive infrastructure. By leveraging our collective expertise, we promote a culture of ongoing enhancement and efficiency across the university. 
    Learn more 
  • Network for Change and Continuous Innovation (NCCI)

  • NCCI is the Network for Change and Continuous Innovation: Higher Education's Network for Change Leadership. NCCI's vision is to position higher education institutions to be agile, lifelong learning models to transform lives and communities around the world.

    UC Davis is an institutional member of NCCI; this provides all UC Davis staff access to a robust library of resources, including live webinars. Please contact us if you have questions about accessing NCCI content. 
     

    Previously recorded sessions can be accessed by logging into NCCI Connect, a few of interest include:

    - NCCI Community Library: a repository or previously recorded webinars and workshops 

     - The Science of Stories: How They Alter Our Risk Perceptions More Powerfully than Info or Data Do (So Tell Good Ones)! (March 2020) Presented by Jonathan Klane, Director of Strategic Change in Safety Culture, UC Davis College of Engineering

    - Creating Cross Functional Success - Breaking the Silos (November 2019). Presented by: Kathleen Scott and Rudy Sanchez, California State University Fresno

    - Lean Leadership 101 (March 2018) Presented by: Eric Olson, PhD, California Polytechnic State University
     

  • Additional Resources

  •  Recommended web resources including; upcoming and/or previously recorded webinars, blogs, podcasts:

    - LeanHE (Lean in Higher Ed): the peer organization for higher education staff working to improve universities around the world using lean or similar process improvement methodologies. 

      Also of interest

    - Everything YOU Ever Wanted to Know about Process Improvement and Lean, but Were Afraid to Ask. Blog Post - Why Consider Lean Process Improvement or Process Management by Dan Feely, Founder and President of Transforming Solutions, Inc.

    - Transitioning to Remote Work by EDUCAUSE: lessons and tips for working virtually

    - Our Shared Challenges by Tim Creasey via LinkedIn: shared challenges in response to COVID-19

    - The Why, How and What of Continuous Improvement by Jeff Roussel: presentation on building a lean culture

    Recommended Change Management e-books:
    - Employee Survival Guide to Change by Jeffrey M. Hiatt
    Whether you are impacted by changes or leading others through change, the Employee’s Survival Guide to Change is an invaluable resource. For employees, this book will help you make sense of the changes happening in your organization.  Learn how you can be successful during periods of  change, and how you can be a proactive change agent among your peers. For leaders, use this book to create a change-ready culture in your organization.  By providing employees with an overview of the Prosci ADKAR Model, you will enable them to understand their own barriers for change and ask for the support they need to move successfully through the change process.

    - ADKAR by Jeffrey M. Hiatt

    How can you lead change successfully, both in your personal life and professional career? This book provides an in-depth explanation of the Prosci ADKAR® Model’s structured approach to change management.  Learn how to apply this model to support individuals through change, ultimately achieving organizational results

     
    Check back often as we continue to update resources...